One-dimensional array of ion chains coupled to an optical cavity

Abstract

We present a novel hybrid system where an optical cavity is integrated with a microfabricated planar-electrode ion trap. The trap electrodes produce a tunable periodic potential allowing the trapping of up to 50 separate ion chains spaced by 160 $\mu$m along the cavity axis. Each chain can contain up to 20 individually addressable Yb\textsuperscript{+} ions coupled to the cavity mode. We demonstrate deterministic distribution of ions between the sites of the electrostatic periodic potential and control of the ion-cavity coupling. The measured strength of this coupling should allow access to the strong collective coupling regime with $\lesssim$10 ions. The optical cavity could serve as a quantum information bus between ions or be used to generate a strong wavelength-scale periodic optical potential.